Working from home and remote learning have challenges of their own, but without Internet service, they’re pretty much impossible. Thanks to a COVID-19 grant, the Longmont Public Library is able to remedy that problem for dozens of local households with the introduction of more than 80 Wi-Fi hotspot devices available for checkout.
Wi-Fi hotspots are small electronic devices (about the size of a smartphone) that provide a connection to the Internet from anywhere close to a cell tower, including homes, offices, and even parks. Patrons do not need to have an Internet service contract to use a Library hotspot; the service is part of the hotspot kit provided by the Library. Users only need a Wi-Fi-ready device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, and one hotspot works for a whole household of users. Users can access their email, browse the web, watch videos or movies, play games, and make phone calls via their computing device through the Wi-Fi hotspot. Each Wi-Fi hotspot kit contains a Wi-Fi hotspot, a power cord, and a traveling case. These devices can be loaned for 3 weeks and can be renewed once for three more weeks. Late fees on Wi-Fi hotspot kits are $1.00 per day with a maximum of $30.00 after 60 days, the late item will be considered lost or stolen, and the replacement cost is $75.00 per kit.
The Library’s new hotspot kits were made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities obtained in partnership with the Longmont Museum and Cultural Center. Hotspots may be placed on hold and picked up at the Lobby Information Desk or Curbside Delivery.